🌟 ENEWS EXTRA 🌟

MISSION PARTNER UPDATE

Read the latest updates from LIV village & Chapel House.

These last few months for our mission partners have been one of highs and lows, with consistent gratitude for God’s gracious, surprising acts of love and power in our midst. As the mission partner support group moved to focusing on one mission partner a month from October, we have been thinking about and praying for Jonathan and Carita McCririe at LIV (October) and Paul Wilcox at Chapel House (November). 

This month we were blessed to pray for Paul Wilcox at Hungry, in a time that felt like one of particular encouragement and community for our mission and ministry. Chapel House has hosted Alpha away days, retreats for an All Saints’ lifegroup, theological college leadership, mission accompaniers for our Diocese, as well as a lifeline for those who come for counselling and time alone to be with the Lord. 

Last month, we were overjoyed to receive Jonathan, Carita and the kids back for a Saturday wedding and a Sunday service. Check back to see the service livestream on 1st October if you missed it, as it is a great summary of where LIV is at, and for Jonathan’s heart for mission here in Worcester, as well as for them in South Africa. They shared with the mission partner group recently, that they long for prayer as they face challenges daily. But here is a testimony of one mother at the village:

“One of our mums was in ICU, and had her family called to say goodbye. A group of mums went to pray for her. She miraculously recovered and went home within a week. She went to a church gathering where a pastor was preaching, he stopped his message and approached her. He said the Lord showed him something about her. He said “I saw you sick, but the Lord showed me children. Do they mean anything to you?” Mum answered yes, I look after foster children. The Pastor replied “Mamma the Lord remembered you in ICU because you remembered his children. He kept your life because of the ministry.”

LIV has been fortunate to welcome new members into the family of God with some baptisms, which you can see in the picture!

If you have a heart for mission, and want to help us encourage and be encouraged by our mission partners, email Andrew Jackman (jackmanandrewg@gmail.com) to find out about joining the group!

In our very first edition of eNews Extra it seems fitting that we feature the Foodbank and share an update on its work. Did you know that All Saints set up the Worcester Foodbank in 2012, in partnership with the Trussell Trust? And did you know that our very own church treasurer, Grahame Lucas, leads the Foodbank today? The Foodbank relies on around 150 local people, who give their time enabling the Foodbank to open its doors four days per week. Foodbank volunteers come from All Saints, other churches and the wider community. Of course, the Foodbank also relies on the donations of food and other essential items in order to serve those in need.

We’re all aware that poverty levels have skyrocketed in recent years and show no signs of easing soon. In October 2023, Worcester Foodbank fed 1,357 people and 35% of these people were children. This was an increase of 14% on the same time last year, which was a record-breaking year itself. In previous years the Foodbank would experience some quieter times in the year when demand was lower, but this year there has been absolutely no let up in demand.   

The statistics are shocking but it is the real people behind the numbers that motivate Foodbank’s volunteers and supporters to do what they do. Here’s what one client shared recently:

 "I just wanted to send you all a massive THANK YOU! You all do an amazing job! I can't believe how much lovely food we received today and toilet roll and toothpaste - all things I was worrying about. It's lifted a huge cloud from over me knowing that we have full cupboards again! Faith in humanity restored!"

It’s our prayer that Foodbank clients come to faith in Christ through the care that they receive. In his new role as Associate Vicar, James will be looking at how we as the All Saints community can better support the Foodbank and the people it serves.

One really encouraging update is that in mid-October Foodbank put out an urgent plea for volunteers to serve in the exceptionally busy period between now and January. The team was inundated with applications and had to pause volunteer recruitment before we had a chance to share it in eNews!

Please do keep the Foodbank in your prayers, particularly over the hugely demanding Christmas and New Year period. If you’re able to donate items to the Foodbank, there’s a donation point in All Saints (just inside the courtyard entrance) and many other collection points in the city.

Click here for a shopping list and other information.

If Foodbank is on your heart, you could join the Monday morning Zoom prayer meetings for Worcester Foodbank (9-9:30am). Email us here for more details: prayergroups@allsaintsworcester.org.uk